Fifty Thousand Club Working for the City

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 276, 22 November 1935, Page 4

Fifty Thousand Club Working for the City

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS OUTLINED. The Palmerston North 50,000 Club has bccu makiug progress during the lust two months along various lines In October, for two Sundays consecutively record attendances of citizens and visitors viewed the cherry trees at tho Esplanade, due partly to the publicity given the blossoms in the Press. The Railways Department collaborated with the club in so far as Wellington publicity was concerned. At the Golden Jubilee Spring Show the club made a display of photographs of the city from IS7S and was assisted by the City Council and C. M. Ross Co., Ltd., who provided the photographs. Plans of tho district were also exhibited and a descriptive folder was distributed, and members enrolled. 111 support of publicity througn tho Press it is hoped to draw added attention to tho amenities, splendid geographical location and unrivalled position of the city as a distributing centre through the use of folders, a talking movie picture, maps, and a descriptive booklet. By the above means it is hoped to attract manufacturers and bring before people the claims of tho city and district more than has been done in tho past.

Other matters that have been given attention include improved transport from a wider district. In this connection the club has inquired about the road from Taihape to Palmerston North, portion of which has been in vory bad order. It has learnt that the Public Works Department has this in hand and that the Rangitikei County Council's contribution is £2OOO towards the cost of the work.

The road from ' Mokeura through Opiki lias also engaged the club’s attention and it is noped to have something definite to report at an early date. Another proposal of the club is that of planting the main entrances to the city avenues of trees. The various local bodies have been approached and couraging replies received. A handsome donation towards the cost has already been made. The club has also made overtures to the City Council regarding un art gallery and museum and it is proposed to set up a committee to go into the question of providing this very necessary adjunct to the city. The fitting celebration of the city's 60 years as a borough has also engaged the attention of the club, and a conference with the City Council and Kairanga , County Council will bo called for the purpose of putting matters in train for, the celebrations in 1937. - . Tho M. and W.C. A'. & P. Association heartily welcomed the request of tho dub that it should allow three members of the dub to link up with its committee; Messrs Jackson (president), Townshond and Clark liavo taken their seats as members of the show committee and their assistance can be relied upon by the association. ■lt has often beuu tlepiorcd by citizens that when a public holiday comes along there is “nothing on” in tho city—the races, sports, etc., are somewhere ese. 011 Jauuary 22 next there will be much to engage the attention of Palmerstouians. On that day tile Australia v. Manawatu cricket much opens, the N.Z. croquet championship tournament opens in Palmerston North, tho Ashhurst races will be held, bowling and tennis clubs will be holding tournaments, and possibly there will be as electric light swimming carnival at the municipal baths at night. It is also hoped to arrange a carnival week during next Winter Show by having races (trotting .and gallops), boxing and wrestling—something on the lines of the carnival week in Christchurch.

It will be seen that the club is endeavouring to innks Pamerston North even more attractive to residents, to encourage the establishment of secondary industries, to foster sport, to improve the educational facilities, and in every way possiblo get a population of 50,000 people in the city sooner than if no interest was taken in growth. The club has also gone into the, matter of aviation. There can bc.no doubt that Palmerston North wall before long bo the “Croydon", of New Zoalajnd and just as it is the largest railway junction so will it be..the largest , and busiest airport. The club is, quite alive to the great' advantage this will mean to the city and proposes to do all in its power to assist in this great effort, and feels that tho support of tho public will be assured iu any effort that may be undertaken to this end. It is not the function of the cub to take over the duties of an existing body, but ratiicr to support the efforts being made along anj' particular line. It is, however, out to assist tho growth of the city and district and to advance and expand its potontalities, and iu this it has a wide field of qffort awaiting it. The citizens and district residents can assist materially , by becoming members of the club and thus show that they take a personal interest iu the city and district’s future progress.